Tourniquet



G. B. SULLIVAN April 26, 1949.

TOURNIQUET Filed Aug. 1s, 1945 2 Sheets-Srxeet 1 INVENTOR. )gl/@mda April 26, 1949. G. B. SULLIVAN TOURNIQUET 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1945 Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOURNIQUET Gregory B. Sullivan, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 13, 1945, Serial N0. 610,505

3 Claims. l

My invention relates to tourniquets, and more particularly to the means for holding the same in engagement with the limb treated.

One object of the invention is to provide a tourniquet which is normally in the form to be used and quickly mountable on and adjustable around the limb to stop bleeding at the earliest possible moment.

A further object is to construct the tourniquet with Ineans'to evenly distribute its pressure, so that its construction may be uniform and its wear comfortable.

Another object is to include a factor operative to constrict the tourniquet to its smallest diameter, so that its tendency will always be to close around and cling to the limb, whatever the girth of the latter may be.

An important object is to design the tourniquet along lines of simplicity and with a minimum number of parts consistent with ecient construction and operation.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Fig. 1 is an elevation of the improved tourniquet;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view of the main portion in the region of one end;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, sections on the lines t-l and 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of a binding device shown in the upper part of Fig. 1;

Fig, 7 is a cross-section on the line I-1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the outer wall structure of the tourniquet, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

In accordance with the foregoing, the basic element of the tourniquet is a long rubber tube II) having closed ends II and a structure similar to a bicycle tire inner tube. The tube IIJ is designed to be formed into a coil and to be inated by Way of a standard air valve I 2.

In order that the tube IIJ may apply as a tourniquet, it is enclosed in a casing I3 of similar form, the ends of the casing being flattened as indicated at I4. The casing I3 is of leather and with a lap joint I on its outer side. The casing has an opening at a medial point for the passage of the inflation valve I2 from the inner tube I;' and a portion of the overlap I5 is left open in the same zone to facilitate the insertion and removal (Cl. 12S-327) of the inner tube. The open portion of the casing is secured by lacing I6 to properly retain the inner tube.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the casing I3 overlaps at its ends to form a band whose diameter may differ in accordance with the extent of the overlap. When such diameter has once been determined, means for securing the casing are provided in the form of an external strap I'I of heavy duck or like fabric, such strap encircling the casing and also being perforated for the passage of the inflation valve I2.

Figs. 1 and 6 show a feed and securing means for the strap I'l. Thus, a light metallic container I8 is provided alongside the casing, the same having a spindle I9 on which is wound a roll 20 of the strap material Il. This material is paid out from the roll 20 to wrap around the casing and enter a bottom chamber 2| of the container I8 with its leading end 22. Here a clamping bar 23 pivoted at 24 in the chamber 2| may be applied by means of an externally directed handle 25 to wedge the leading end 22 of the strap against the floor 26 of the container I 8, thus securing such leading end firmly to the container. The spindle I9 extends out on one side of the container I8 to receive the inner end of a spiral spring 21, the outer end of the same being secured to a pin 28 projecting from the side Wall of the container. The tendency of the spring 2'I is to Wind the strap material II onto the roll 2l), so that the strap becomes closely wound around the casing I3 automatically, irrespective of the diameter assumed by the casing. When such diameter is determined and the strap applied as stated, a uted cross bar 29 is applicable to the strap on the inside of the container to Wedge the strap tightly against the roof 30 of the same. The cross bar 29 has headed end pieces 3I which pass through arcuate slots 32 in the side walls of the container I8, such slots departing from thev applied position of the cross bar in a downward direction. Thus, when it is desired to release the strap II, the end pieces 3| of the cross bar are pulled back through the slots 32 from the applied position of the cross bar to rest in the lower portions of the slots until again required for clamping purposes. It will be understood that the spring 21 will be sufliciently strong to cause the strap I'I to exert a firm hold on the casing I3.

With the tourniquet constituted as described, it is always in the toroidal or band form suitable for application to a limb, so that it may be slid on the same without delay or preliminary adjustment. In other words, the casing I3 will expand in response to the progressive girth of the limb, and the strap I'I will pay out at the same time until the position at which the tourniquet is applicable is reached. The strap may now be secured as described to hold the tourniquet in place, and the inner tube I inflated by means of a hand pump or other compressed air source until the required constriction of the limb has been accomplished.

I have provided an additional expedient which will tend to close the tourniquet around the limb at all times and irrespective of the girth of the'y same, the drawing shows that the eXternalvvalls of the casing I3 carry a pair of longitudinal cloth hems or bindings 33 which are stitched or otherwise secured to the casing at` 34 'and close endwise with cross pieces 35. The longitudinal hems 33 form sheaths for a pair of longitudinal bands 36' of spring steel Which have a Winding tendency. The bands 36. are thus disposed in a manner to impose a.y constricting influence on the casing I3 at all times, this influence not only aiding the application of. the to-urniduet, bnt` alsomaintainingthe engagement of the samein casethe strap .Il becomes loosened, partly detached through some circumstance or otherwise disengaged from the casing I3. n

It will be evident from the above description that the novel tournquet is an appliance having a highy degree of eiiciency, sinceit is ready for immediate application to a limb at any desired point Without preliminary or special preparation or any. involved attention or Work after it has been applied to secure it. This factor is of importance when much may dependy on how soon or how quickly a tourniquet is applied. Further, the latter is a light and iirm assembly which is easy to handle and has no delicate ork extra parts to be attended. to during its application to consume extra Work and time. Further, the encircling yform of thetourniquet makes its engagement uniform and comfortable. Finally, the tourniquet is composed of a smalll number of parts which are simplev and easy.,v to handle..

WhileI havel described the invention along specie lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider such changes and refinements as coming Within the scope and spirit of the appended claims'.

I claim:

l. A tourniquet comprising an elongated member coiled to overlap its ends, and self-Winding spring means carried by the member and tending tO exert a progressiveconstricting inuence on the member when the same is applied.

2. A tourniquet comprising an elongated member coiled to overlap its ends, and a longitudinal self-winding spring band wrapped around the member and tending to exert a progressively constricting influence on the member when the same is applied.

3. A Vtourniquet comprising an elongated inflatable mermber coiled to overlap its ends, an inating valve projecting from the outer wall of. the member and midway between its sides, a wrapper encasing the member and havingl a longitudinal opening in its outer Wall for the passage of saidvalve andthe insertion or removal of said member, means to gather the sides of the opening When the member is contained in the casing, and a pair of yieldable longitudinal bands lwrapped around the outer casing wall inwardly of the sides thereof, such bands' tending to Wind the encased member with a constricting eiect when applied.

GREGORY B. SULLIVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED` STATES PATENTS 799 Netherlands Aug. 3, 1915 

